CEPI has published an updated version of the ‘Paper for Recycling – Quality control guidelines’ including an annex which outlines in more detail the technical measurements.
The updated version is the result of sustained industry consultation and as a step towards achieving a harmonised approach on quality control and measurement. The additional annex provides more detailed information on:
1. Instrumental analysis via automatic sensor Near Infra-Red (NIR)
2. Instrumental analysis via automatic microwave sensor
The updated guidelines were first launched in April 2016 with the objective to improve the implementation of the revised EN 643 Standard and to facilitate commercial relationships of paper mills with their suppliers of paper for recycling.
“The inclusion of the annex reflects the trend of paper companies increasingly using technical measurement in their quality control. The focus on quality is crucial for the functioning of secondary raw material markets and makes paper recycling a role model for the circular economy.” says Massimo Medugno, Director General of Assocarta, CEPI’s member in Italy.
While CEPI remains actively engaged in the ongoing standardisation process on the sampling of paper for recycling, the present guidelines are much wider in scope.
They put strong emphasis on the inspection procedure for quality control at the paper mill and explain what controllers should consider during an inspection in order to decide if a load should be accepted, conditionally accepted or refused. The control procedure recommended is described in detail and illustrated by a ‘decision tree’ at the end of the document.
CEPI strongly encourages its member companies to apply the new guidelines in the purchasing Paper for Recycling market.
English and French versions of the revised Guidelines can be consulted on our website here.
For more information, please contact: Ulrich Leberle, Raw Materials Director at CEPI: , +32 2 627 49 23
For press related enquiries please contact: Ben Kennard, Press & Digital Media Officer at CEPI: , +32 487 39 21 82
Note to the Editor
The European Standard EN 643, European List of Standard Grades of Paper and Board for Recycling, is the basic document to be used by industry professionals in the buying and selling of paper for recycling. Interested parties should order the EN 643 from their respective national standardisation body. The standard was revised in 2014. It defines what the different grades of paper for recycling can and cannot contain as well as defining prohibited materials and unwanted materials. It also sets maximum tolerance levels by grade for unwanted materials.